Thieves steal catalytic converter from Honda in broad daylight at Swannery car park

The woman, who wants to rename anonymous, said on Saturday around noon she parked at the Swannery car park, in Radipole Park Drive.

A couple hours later, she returned to her car where she drove off and was 'shocked rigid' after she described her car sounded 'like a tank' after thieves removed the exhaust emission control device.

Swannery car park in Weymouth

She said: "It was a lively day and there were so many people about.

"I parked my car and walked into the town centre. After returning I drove my car which sounded like a tank.

"My son is a mechanic, so I asked him to look at immediately. He checked it and said the catalytic converter had been cut."

Catalytic converters form part of a car’s exhaust system. They contain a honeycomb coated with precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium which help to reduce and filter harmful gases from the vehicles’ exhaust systems.

Cars that have had converter stolen cannot be legally driven. Replacement catalytic converters can cost up to £1,000, which can be very costly for targeted motorists.

• READ MORE - What you need to know as catalytic converter thefts increase in Dorset

"I was shocked because this had happened in broad daylight and this is going to have to go through my insurance," the victim said.

"I've seen reports these thieves are targeting Honda cars, which is strange.

"I cannot believe no one noticed because they must have had a tool to remove it. I was shocked rigid.

"I have a nasty bill. I want to warn other people and I don't want these thieves to get away with it."

In a previous report police have warned car owners, particularly of Honda Jazz and Honda CR-V models, to be vigilant after the rise in thefts.

A spokesman from Dorset Police said: "We received a report that a catalytic converter was stolen from a car that was parked in the Swannery car park in Weymouth sometime between 1.45pm and 2.45pm on Saturday 24 April 2021. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this stage."

The car park is run by Dorset Council.

A council spokesman said: "We've reviewed our CCTV footage, and sadly this theft has taken place outside of the camera range.

"We’ve asked our camera operators to pay close attention to the car parks following this incident. Our parking enforcement officers have also been made aware of this type of theft, so they can be alert for suspicious behaviour during their patrols."

If you have any information, contact police on 101 referencing crime number: 55210064583.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.

The car park is run by Dorset Council